$4.5bn fraud: Emefiele’s absence stalls trial, court adjourns to November 11

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, was stalled over the first defendant ‘s absence, and was adjourned to November 11, 12 and 13, 2026.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge before Justice Rahman Oshodi bordering on alleged abuse of office, receiving gratification, making corrupt demands and fraudulent receipt of property in transactions involving about $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. Omoile, the second defendant, is facing three counts relating to the alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Emefiele, the first defendant, was absent from court as he was said to be attending to another trial in Abuja.
When the case came up, the defence counsel, Lawal Labi, SAN, informed the court that Emefiele would not be available for the proceedings.
The EFCC prosecution counsel, C.C. Okezie also informed the court that the first defendant, Godwin Emefiele, had written a letter, dated October 6, 2026, stating that he would be attending another trial in Abuja on the same date scheduled for the Lagos trial.
However, counsel to the second defendant, Henry Omoile, A. Kotoye, SAN, said he had neither seen nor received any notification from the court regarding the first defendant’s absence.
He said, “I don’t know why the court will be treating the second defendant as if he is not part of the proceedings “.
Counsel to the first defendant, Labi,SAN, urged the court to vacate the previously scheduled trial dates in October, questioning whether it would be convenient for Emefiele to travel from Abuja to Lagos to attend the proceedings the following day after appearing in court in Abuja.

He noted that Emefiele had another ongoing case in Abuja, the outcome of which could not be predicted.